[OBITUARY] Jon McCullough, chairman of U.S. Soccer's Athlete Council and a member of the U.S. Paralympic Team in the 1996 and 2004 Paralympics as a defender, died
Saturday after succumbing to cancer.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of Jon McCullough's passing," U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said.
"Jon lived his life with the embodiment of team spirit, always willing to give everything he could for the good of the sport and his community. The U.S. Soccer and Paralympic communities have lost a
great advocate and an even better person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time."

McCullough, a decorated disabled veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, was
a member of the USA squad for 12 years, also playing in the 1998 World All-Star Game in Brazil, three Pan American Games and three World Championships.

He was a longtime leader and
volunteer in the Olympic and Paralympic movements. He was a member and chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee's Athletes Advisory Council as well as holding key positions with U.S. Soccer.

Most recently, McCullough served as the executive director at BlazeSports America, which provides all children and adults with physical disabilities the chance to play sports and live healthy and
active lives.